https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50834 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:33:43 GMT 2026-04-17T03:33:43Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/70346 Title: #AntifeminismonTwitter Abstract: The aim of this dissertation is to understand and discuss the main discourses around antifeminism on Twitter. Thousands of tweets containing the word Feminazi, AntiFeminism and FeminismIsCancer have been downloaded from Twitter API for a period of six months. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used to analyse the main discourse around antifeminism on Twitter. The quantitative method was very useful in identifying which tweets could be further analysed for the qualitative part of this dissertation. As a matter of fact, two main events have been identified: the Gillette Advert and the Me Too Campaign. After reading all the available tweets related to the mentioned events, seven categories were identified. A ‘Qualitative Content Analysis’ was carried out, and from this qualitative method, it transpired that there are certain misconceptions and stereotypes around feminism. Moreover, antifeminists (which from the research carried out transpired that the vast majority are men) see feminism as a threat to their masculinity, thus to patriarchal power. Hence, anti-feminists through the use of misogynistic language, are trying to silence feminists, as well as hindering young women in identifying themselves as feminists. Description: M.GENDER,SOCIETY&CULTURE Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/70346 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68553 Title: Liberating the female body : to analyse from a feminist perspective, the political, legal and social discourse surrounding women’s reproductive rights and sexual liberation in Malta Abstract: The purpose of the study is to analyse the extent to which female sexual experience is limited by legal, political and social discourse surrounding reproductive rights in Malta. The aim is to analyse discourse to argue the strong relationship between language, sex, and power. The method used for this argument was to analyse current legislation and the Maltese Parliamentary Committee Meeting transcripts regarding the ‘Discussion about the Morning After Pill’ from June to October 2016, using feminist Critical Discourse Analysis and feminist Conversational Analysis. The theoretical framework of the study consists of a critical realist approach, to identify the relationship between discourse and non-discursive elements such as politics, religion and culture in organisational and social structures. The study seeks to argue that the discourse of the speakers during the Parliamentary Committee not only shapes reality, but the discourse also has the potential to reinforce that reality because it occurs in an organisational structure with the power to do so. The history of sexuality is explored to understand the background of the non-discursive elements and themes prevalent in the discourse that emerged from the Critical Discourse Analysis and the Conversation Analysis. Theories of power are used to understand its meaning and how it manifests itself in different organisational and social structures. The study argues that power structures, like language are constructed, and that in order to affect change to the status quo, power needs to be reconstructed to reflect the reality of women’s sexual life. The study concludes with a call to action to challenge the current state of female sexual freedom in Malta by recreating language that can empower individuals towards goals of female sexual independence by reconstructing our understanding of power and our relationship with sex. Description: M.GENDER STUD. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68553 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50910 Title: Women in politics : a historical analysis of four small island states in Europe Abstract: This is a comparative historical analysis of four island states to find out how the discourses and political alliances across the ages impacted in the promotion, or lack of it, of gender equality, with a special focus on the promotion of women in politics. Republic of Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Malta were chosen due to the fact that they share a number of geographical, social and cultural characteristics: a history of colonisation, a strong religious following, and mainly because they are also small island states at the periphery of Europe. This study will look at the historical political involvement of women in these four small island states by analysing the cultural, socio-economic and political structures in each country to see how these are implicated in women’s political participation. The research will follow the polytemporal model as proposed by Browne (2013) which states that there needs to be an open dialogue between past and present feminisms in order to positively transform the present and the future. The four islands all had a history of colonisation which affected differently the interplay of cultural, societal and political identities. Iceland and Ireland were the first to obtain independence in the early twentieth century, and amongst the first to extend voting rights to women. They have also been the first two countries within this sample to achieve a substantive female presence in parliamentary structures. In Iceland this happened ‘naturally’, whereas Ireland had to introduce legislative gender quotas to numerically increase the number of women who make it to parliament. Cyprus, Malta and Ireland were British colonies. The first two gained independence during the mid of the twentieth century and are still lagging behind the gender equality measures achieved by Iceland and Ireland. It seems that the countries’ political ties with the European Union helped jump start gender equality in these three countries more than their previous links to Britain. Iceland did not need its political alliance to the European Union since its geo-political positioning provided it with better role models where gender equality was concerned. This historical analysis underlines that culture, particularly religiosity and patriarchal structures, political alliances coupled with civil society activism had an impact on the promotion of women’s rights and political engagement in these four countries. Description: M.GENDER STUD. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50910 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50909 Title: A semiotic review of the presentation of fathers in the Irish media before and after the introduction of paid paternity leave : are dads portrayed differently since paternity leave was introduced in Ireland? : a semiotic review of what the pictures and papers really say Abstract: Feminism looks for gender equality and to improve the lives of women. I believe that by improving paternal opportunities and positioning Dads in a positive and empowered parental space we improve the lives of women also involved in their individual parental dynamics. In this project, I have looked to generate a dialogue and create a space for parents who have lived through parenting and also include those who are still experiencing the social changes delivered in Ireland with regard to social policy that effects the family. Ireland is changing and whilst change is slow, Ireland is hopefully progressing towards full gender equality in parenting. By ensuring that Dads experience a fair and realistic representation as equal parents to their children, this will ensure that parental equity will ultimately benefit women to be empowered and level the parenting playing field. This premise of equality not only empowers men but moves towards improving outcomes for women; as such, this research is situated at the core of feminist theory and activism. By using feminist theories to support masculinities, and in turn enrich men’s lives, this research will demonstrate how the lives of women who co-parent with these men are improved. This research demonstrates the core of feminism and will show that by supporting fathers to fulfil the fatherhood role that both men and women report to desire, the closing of the gender parenting gap, a concept outlined within this research, can be achieved. By analysing popular media articles and considering the legislative position of Irish fathers, along with the very definition of what make a man a father, the introduction of paid paternity leave in Ireland forms the cornerstone on which the investigation is situated. In reviewing the images and texts used in various forms of media, for example, those present in mainstream Irish news publications, this project will attempt to empower Dads and support them towards egalitarian and feminist parenting roles. This in turn supports the feminist positions of equality and empowerment. This study uses the Harvard-Anglian reference style as supported by the MS Word Software, along with NVIVO qualitative evaluation and semiotic analysis to ask the question: “Since the introduction of paid paternity leave in Ireland has the media representation of father in Irish popular media changed to reflect a more engaged father?” Description: M.GENDER STUD. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/50909 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z